In an intense Thai MotoGP Sprint Race, Ducati Lenovo’s Enea Bastianini showcased impressive skill, seizing victory on the Buriram circuit. As he crossed the finish line first, Jorge Martin clinched a vital second place for Pramac Ducati, strengthening his grip on the championship lead, while defending champion Francesco Bagnaia completed the podium in third.
The race began with an electrifying start as pole qualifier Bagnaia led the pack, only to face an assertive move from Martin at Turn 1. Martin’s aggressive dive forced both him and Bagnaia wide, allowing Bastianini to capitalize and claim the lead. This incident reshuffled the field, with Marc Marquez advancing to second, followed by Bagnaia and MotoGP rookie Pedro Acosta in the top five.
Here is the video:
Nobody could get near him! 👏
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 26, 2024
A lights to flag #TissotSprint victory for @Bestia23! #ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/BbQ4iJF6An
Bastianini held a steady pace at the front, undeterred by Martin’s resurgence through the field. Martin clawed his way back up to second place, eventually pulling away from Marquez and Bagnaia. However, with Bastianini controlling the race masterfully, Martin’s efforts to close the gap proved insufficient, forcing him to settle for second. Meanwhile, Bagnaia found himself under pressure, but his strong defence kept him securely in third, ensuring a full Ducati podium sweep.
Marquez brothers complete the top 5!
Marc Marquez, riding for Gresini Ducati, claimed a solid fourth place, finishing without serious competition for most of the race. Acosta, however, endured a tough run after crashing from fifth place on the fourth lap, marking a premature end to his charge.
The race also highlighted Ducati’s dominance, with their bikes occupying the top eight positions as riders adapted to Buriram’s challenging conditions. The majority of competitors opted for the hard front and medium rear tyres to combat the circuit's demanding tyre wear, which was amplified by Michelin’s stiffer construction rears designed for venues like Buriram. Exceptions included Joan Mir with a hard rear setup and some of the VR46 Ducati riders, who chose a soft front tyre.
Thai MotoGP Sprint Race Results:
Position |
Rider |
Nationality |
Team |
1 |
Enea Bastianini |
ITA |
Ducati Lenovo (GP24) |
2 |
Jorge Martin |
SPA |
Pramac Ducati (GP24) |
3 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
ITA |
Ducati Lenovo (GP24) |
4 |
Marc Marquez |
SPA |
Gresini Ducati (GP23) |
5 |
Alex Marquez |
SPA |
Gresini Ducati (GP23) |
6 |
ITA |
Pramac Ducati (GP24) |
|
7 |
Marco Bezzecchi |
ITA |
VR46 Ducati (GP23) |
8 |
Fabio Di Giannantonio |
ITA |
VR46 Ducati (GP23) |
9 |
Brad Binder |
RSA |
Red Bull KTM (RC16) |
10 |
Fabio Quartararo |
FRA |
Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) |
11 |
Jack Miller |
AUS |
Red Bull KTM (RC16) |
12 |
Johann Zarco |
FRA |
LCR Honda (RC213V) |
13 |
Joan Mir |
SPA |
Repsol Honda (RC213V) |
14 |
Raul Fernandez |
SPA |
Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP24) |
15 |
Aleix Espargaro |
SPA |
Aprilia Factory (RS-GP24) |
16 |
Augusto Fernandez |
SPA |
Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16) |
17 |
Alex Rins |
SPA |
Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) |
18 |
Takaaki Nakagami |
JPN |
LCR Honda (RC213V) |
19 |
Luca Marini |
ITA |
Repsol Honda (RC213V) |
20 |
Maverick Viñales |
SPA |
Aprilia Factory (RS-GP24) |
21 |
Lorenzo Savadori |
ITA |
Aprilia Factory (RS-GP24) |
22 |
Pedro Acosta |
SPA |
Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16) |